Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said today that innovation remained “crucial” to securing the North Sea’s future during a trip to Aberdeen.
Mr Wheelhouse was shown how Return To Scene’s visualisation software lets users virtually walk around platforms, review data, and plan upcoming projects from their offices.
Return To Scene (R2S), owned by marine services company James Fisher and Sons, recently won a contract to provide Chrysaor with photographic models of the Everest, Lomond and Armada platforms.
Chrysaor bought the platforms from Shell as part of a near-£3billion deal for a package of North Sea assets.
Mr. Wheelhouse said: “Scotland is fortunate to have world class skills, and the infrastructure in place to become a world-leader in driving the research and development of innovative technologies such as those being developed by Return to Scene. R2S is making a difference to the management of offshore assets, which ultimately supports the competitiveness and longevity of the sector and I was very impressed by what I have seen on my visit.”
“We understand that innovation remains crucial to the oil and gas sector for maximising economic recovery and reducing costs, driving exports and sales within the supply chain, and ultimately securing the long term sustainability of the North Sea.”
James Fisher bought R2S from administrators for £1.9million last year.
The company had been part of north-east energy service firm SeaEnergy, which folded.
R2S managing director Bob Donnelly said: “Government support from both Holyrood and Westminster is essential as oil and gas emerges from an incredibly difficult time.
“For businesses like Return To Scene, having the ability to address concerns of the wider oil and gas supply chain and demonstrating our importance for the industry’s future is incredibly important, particular in terms of exporting and support available to us.”
